Stumped

On this week’s episode, Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell hear from Tuba Sangar, who up until just a couple of weeks ago was the women's development manager for the Afghanistan Cricket Board. She tells the team about her fears for the safety of her players, the future of women’s cricket in Afghanistan, and what it was like leaving her home and her job behind.They also speak with Punjab Kings and Australia bowler Nathan Ellis, whose remarkable two-year journey from playing club cricket continues with the chance to play in the Indian Premier League, which resumes in the UAE, and discuss the fall-out from the fifth Test between England and India. The match was called off just two hours before the scheduled start of play due to Covid concerns in the India camp.Photo: Members of Afghanistan's first national women's cricket team take part in a training session in Kabul. (Credit: SHAH MARAI/AFP via Getty Images)

We discuss the latest on what the future might hold for cricket in Afghanistan after speculation over whether the women's team will be able to play under the new government.We also find out how some refugees from the country are being made to feel welcome in the UK thanks to a cricket match organised by Newport Pagnell Town Cricket Club.Plus we reflect on the Test series between England and India, and discuss MS Dhoni's role as a mentor for the India T20 World Cup squad. And we learn more about the Disability Premier League in England, which is currently being trialled and is described as a "world first" with players from three different impairment groups playing together for the first time.Photo description: Afghan girls play cricket on the school grounds in Kabul on December 28, 2010. (Photo credit: SHAH MARAI/AFP via Getty Images)

Isabelle Westbury, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma hear from former Australia bowler Michael Kasprowicz who has been involved in developing the SmartBall, which measures speed, spin and power and is currently being trialled in the Caribbean Premier League. We ask what the players make of it so far and when we could see it being used more widely across international competitions.We find out more about Brazil's ambitions to qualify for the Women's T20 World Cup in 2023 with their captain Roberta Moretti Avery. Plus we remember Dale Steyn’s greatest moments as the South African announces his retirement from cricket and discuss the pressure on India’s Virat Kohli both with the bat and his captaincy as the Test series against England continues.PHOTO: Australian fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz, shows the match ball to spectators after taking five wickets, on day two of the first of three Tests against Pakistan at the WACA ground in Perth, 17 December 2004. (Credit: GREG WOOD/AFP via Getty Images)

We're joined by the head of The Hundred women's competition, Beth Barrett-Wild to discuss its success and what's next for the tournament.With all eyes on the third Test between England and India, we find out more about the Pataudi trophy they're competing for, named after one of the biggest stars in the history of Indian cricket.And we look at the latest situation for Afghanistan's cricketers.PHOTO: The Oval Invincibles celebrate victory with the trophy after The Hundred Final match between Southern Brave Women and Oval Invincibles Women at Lord's Cricket Ground on August 21, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Getty Images)

Afghanistan bowler Naveen-ul-Haq discusses the ongoing political situation in his home country, what the future holds for the national team and whether they will compete at the Twenty20 World Cup in October.We hear how the Afghan Cricket Association, which normally supports players in the UK, has redirected its efforts to providing emergency aid.Plus, we reflect on India’s win over England in the second Test, discuss the T20 World Cup draw and look ahead to the final Test between West Indies and Pakistan, after a thrilling first victory for the home side.Photo: Captain Naveen Ul Haq of Afghanistan and his team mates line up for their national anthem prior to the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and Afghanistan at Hagley Oval on January 25, 2018 in Christchurch, New Zealand Credit: Getty Images

Ian Watmore, ECB Chair and head of the International Cricket Council's Olympic working group, joins us to talk about the bid for the sport to be included at Los Angeles 2028 and the beginning of the Hundred. Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell discuss the injuries affecting England's bowling options heading into the second Test against IndiaAnd we'll hear how the inaugural British Gorkhali League is promoting cricket amongst British Nepalese players. Photo: The torch is lit at the Los Angeles Coliseum as the city was officially named as host of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Credit: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

We speak to former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori about his coaching career, including his current role in The Hundred, and about mental health in cricket following Ben Stokes' announcement that he's taking an 'indefinite' break from the sport.Plus, we hear from the women's team in Barcelona which has run a successful campaign to create the city's first cricket pitch.PHOTO: Spin Bowling Coach Daniel Vettori takes part in warm ups during game one of the International T20 series between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Seddon Park on March 28, 2021 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Credit: Getty Images)

We speak to South Africa's all time leading wicket taker and one of the fastest female bowlers in world, Shabnim Ismail, as we discuss whether the 80 miles per hour women's bowling record could be broken soon.Plus, we'll look at the concerns over this winter's Ashes, and India's injury list ahead of the Test series with England.Photo: Shabnim Ismail of South Africa bowls during the ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and Pakistan at Sydney Showgrounds (Credit:Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell are joined by Oval Invincibles and England T20 bowler Tash Farrant. Farrant featured in the inaugural match of The Hundred, as the competition finally got underway a year later than originally planned. We discuss the new format, how well it worked and how it's helping towards gender equality in the sport. And we hear from the 11-year-old boy who's been given a new lease of cricketing life - all thanks to a special set of glasses.Photo: Tash Farrant of Oval Invincibles bowls during the The Hundred match between Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals. (Credit:Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma, West Indies great Michael Holding discusses his powerful speech about racial injustice which went viral last year. He speaks about his own experiences of racism, reacts to the social media abuse aimed at some of England’s footballers at the European Championships this week and discusses his new book 'Why We Kneel, How We Rise,' and whether it’s easier now for sports men and women to use their platform for change.And with less than a week to go to the start of The Hundred, we discuss the implications of recent positive covid cases and look back at the India v England’s women multi-format series.Photo: Former West Indies Cricketer Michael Holding shakes hands with West Indies captain Jason Holder. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)